Leather Vs. Synthetic Motorcycle Gear
Leather is the classic material for motorcycle gear, but synthetics (such as Kevlar and ballistic-grade nylon) have considerable charms, including breathability and waterproofing.
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Purpose
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The purpose of motorcycle gear is abrasion resistance in case of a spill, and second, impact protection. No fabric without body armor provides any impact protection.
Abrasion
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Popular Mechanics reports that "competition-grade" leather (of about 1.4 mm thick) offered four times the abrasion resistance of synthetic Kevlar, and 16 times that of denim.
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Weight
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Leather must be quite heavy--between 0.9 mm and 1.4 mm thick--to provide decent abrasion resistance. "Fashion-weight" leather, as "The Savvy Guide to Motorcycles" calls it, provides little protection.
Cordura
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Cordura is a breathable nylon fabric which, like leather, is available in thicknesses and grades. Cordura in particular offers abrasion and tear resistance offers good protection against road rash in accidents.
Kevlar
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Companies such as BMW, and Aerostich and First Gear offer synthetic motorcycle gear, but with Kevlar body armor over such pressure points as the elbows and knees.
Durability
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Popular Mechanics advises that a heavy-duty leather jacket provides abrasion protection for up to five spills, while synthetics are good for two spills at most.
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References
- Photo Credit couple man and woman in leather on bike motorcycle image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
